Boat paddle



March 6, 1956 LAWSON 2,737,144-

BOAT PADDLE Filed March 50, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 50, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent BOAT PADDLE Marvin J. Lawson, Birmingham, Ala.

Application March 30, 1955, Serial No. 498,018

3 Claims. (Cl. 115-29) This invention relates to a boat paddle. It has for its main objects to provide such a paddle that will be highly satisfactory for the purpose intended, simple in structure, comparatively cheap to manufacture, easy to use and keep in working condition, and extremely durable.

A further object is to provide a paddle that will be quiet in operation, an important feature especially when being used for military purposes.

Another object is to provide a paddle adapted for use by an amateur.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the drawings and description.

By referring generally to the drawings, a part of this application, it will be observed that Fig. l is a plan view of the rear half of a boat showing a paddle made according to this invention attached to the rear edge of the boat; Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail view of the bracket that supports the paddle at the rear of the boat; Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the paddle mounted on its supporting bar, the bracket for the bar and a portion of the rear of a boat showing how the paddle is carried on same; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the paddle and operating gears therefor; Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the paddle and lower portion of its supporting bar; and Fig. 8 is a view on line 88 of Fig. 7.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the paddle comprises two similar blades 1 supported on a bar 2 by brackets 3 and 4. The blades are mounted partly revolvable on stud shafts 5 and 6 on which are carried arms 7 having gear teeth 8, the arms being attached to the edges of the blades. The brackets 3 and 4 are attached by bolts to the main supporting bar 2 that is held adjustable in bracket 9 by a cap bolt 10. Another bracket 11 supports bracket 9 on a bolt 12 to thus provide hinge movement for the main bar 2. Bracket 11 is provided with an inverted U-shaped portion 13 with a cap bolt 14 to act as a clamp for supporting the assembled parts on the rear panel 15 of the boat 16. The main bar is provided with a handle 17.

From the foregoing it will appear that the paddle blades move in unison as a result of having the gear teeth in mesh with each other. When the top of the main supporting bar 2 is moved by manual means backward the blades fold and move forward in a pointed condition through the water 18. In the reverse movement the blades spread as shown plainly in Fig. 6 and cause the boat to move forward. The various parts of the assembly may be made of any material suitable for the purpose, but I prefer to use light weight rust-proof metal such as aluminum or the like; also the parts may be made in different sizes and capacities depending on how and where to be used.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not Wish to limit same to the exact and precise details of structure, but reserve the right to make all modifications and changes so long as they remain Within the scope of the invention and the following claims.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A boat paddle of the character described comprising a main supporting bar, two identical blades, said blades having parts of gears on arms attached to their lower and upper edges, a bracket on the main bar adjacent the upper edges of the blades and a similar bracket on the main bar adjacent the lower edges of the blades, bolts as short shafts positioned through said gear arms, said gear parts being in mesh at the top and bottom of the blades, said blades being set to fold toward each other when being moved in water with the gears ahead of the blades and to spread outward when being moved in water with the gears at the rear of the blades; a bracket attached adjustably on said main bar for holding the blades lower or higher on the bar, a second bracket attached hinge fashion on said bar bracket, a U-shaped clamp attached integrally on said second bracket for removal attachment to the rear end panel of a small boat, said main supporting bar having a handle attached to its upper end for use by manual means to move said assembled paddle in water.

2. A paddle adapted for manual operation when mounted on the rear end of a small boat comprising a main supporting bar, two identical blades, said blades having parts of gears on arms attached to their lower and upper edges, a bracket on the main bar adjacent the upper edges of the blades and a similar bracket on the main bar adjacent the lower edges of the blades, bolts as short shafts positioned through said gear arms, said gear parts being in mesh at the top and bottom of the blades, said blades being set to fold toward each other when being moved in water with the gears ahead of the blades and to spread outward when being moved in water with the gears at the rear of the blades; a bracket attached adjustably on said main bar for holding the blades lower or higher on the bar, a second bracket attached hinge fashion on said bar bracket, a U-shaped clamp attached integrally on said second bracket for removal attachment to the rear end panel of a small boat, said main supporting bar having a handle attached to its upper end for use by manual means to move said assembled paddle in water.

3. Aboat paddle of the character described comprising a main supporting bar, two similar blades attached hinge fashion on the lower end of said bar, parts of gears attached to said blades, said gears being set in mesh to allow said blades to partly revolve backward and forward, said main supporting bar having a bracket mounted around it adjustably, a second bracket attached hinge fashion to said bar bracket, a U-shaped portion attached integrally to said second bracket for attachment to the rear end panel of a small boat, said main bar having a handle attached to its upper end for easy manual movement of the bar to thus control the movement of the paddle.

No references cited. 

